Leeds Transport Strategy submitted to Department for Transport.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority�s Investment Committee has backed Leeds City Council�s submission of its Leeds Transport Strategy and Strategic Outline Case to the Department for Transport.

Leeds City Council developed the Strategy in the light of the Department of Transport request that the city invest the �173.5million of public funding that would have been available for the NGT scheme, on public transport improvements before the end of 2021.

Conversation

Producing the strategy involved the city�s biggest-ever transport conversation survey with residents, businesses, stakeholders and visitors, and over 8,000 people took part.

The funding will be used for schemes that are in line with the Combined Authority�s aims of supporting economic growth and the creation of jobs in the Leeds City Region, developing an integrated transport network and improving people�s health through more active travel and better air quality.

Welcoming the Strategy�s submission, Cllr Keith Wakefield Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority�s Transport Committee said: �There is no doubt that good transport links are key to achieving our aims of creating Leeds City Region Strategic Economic Plan of creating 36,000 extra jobs and generating �3.7 billion of additional economic output. The measures in the Leeds Transport Strategy are the latest part of our work to develop a modern, integrated transport network that meets the City Region�s need and aspirations.

�With over 3.5 million bus journeys made in West Yorkshire each week and 20 million journeys made annually on the local rail network, developing modern, reliable and attractive bus and train services that people want to use, is vital.

Integrated

�Building new rail stations such as one at Leeds Bradford Airport are key to the Combined Authority�s aim of developing a modern integrated transport network for the Leeds City Region.

�New park and ride sites on the outskirts of Leeds, and plans by the Combined Authority to create 850-plus spaces at a number of local rail stations including Fitzwilliam, Hebden Bridge, Mirfield, Mytholmroyd, Normanton, Shipley, Silsden and Steeton will adding significantly to the 2,500 that already exist.

�During our recent countywide transport consultations, individuals and businesses told us they wanted to see quick-win improvements, schemes and initiatives that result in benefits across the whole City Region.

�The measures being developed through our transport strategies are contain the wide range of ambitious schemes and investment in modern integrated systems that will deliver those benefits.��